House Ethics Committee launches investigation into Tony Gonzales over affair allegations

The House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) over sordid allegations of an affair with a staff member.

The committee announced it would be investigating "engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his congressional office" and "discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges."

The investigation will revolve around allegations that he engaged in an affair with Regina Santos-Aviles, his married former staffer who died after setting herself on fire in September 2025.

The investigation could dampen his chances of winning his runoff primary election in May, after neither he nor his Republican opponent, Brandon Herrera, managed to win over 50% of the vote during the primary election on Tuesday. The Associated Press called the race a runoff, with both candidates virtually tied at 42.5% of the vote as of 1:15 a.m. on Wednesday, with 77% of the vote counted.

Pressure increased on Gonzales earlier this year after Adrian Aviles, the widower of Santos-Aviles, released messages he claimed were between his wife and the congressman. The messages showed Gonzales pressuring Santos-Aviles to send him sexual material, reiterating demands after her rebuttals.